Learner looking for a bike

[Sed57]

I'm sure you're all sick of these posts by now :P First time at the forums, and limited to the access I get in work, so not been able to read all the previous posts.

Basically I'm looking at something decent to learn on that I can quickly re-sell and move onto a bigger bike on passing my restricted. I'm also after something that's more "normal-sized" bike as opposed to a "small-sized" bike (despite being 5 ft 8, I'd rather know what it's like to ride something full sized straight off than get comfortable to a smaller bike, then having to get used to a bigger bike).

This initially pushed me toward a Hyosung GT250R, being the only bike I'm aware of that's more "normal-sized". That said, I know the earlier bikes have issues (perhaps the later models have ironed-out these, though? If so, should I look at post-07, post-08, etc?), and perhaps you guys know of another 250cc that's a "normal-size"?

Any info would be appreciated!

Back to work...

[nathanwhite]

Normal is relative. A 'normal' 250 is very different from a 'normal' 600.

If you are looking for something that is a bigger size but a learner legal engine, then hyo would be the way to go.
That said there is some people on here who are pretty big, have (or have had )a normal sized 250 have were/are fine.

The first thought that comes to me, is get a scorpio (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/SearchResults.aspx?&searchType=0001-0026-1255-&searchString=scorpio&x=0&y=0&searchregion=100&type=Search&sort_order=&redirectFromAll=False&generalSearch_keypresses=7&generalSearch_suggested=0) but then I am biased.

IMO getting a well behaving and tidy first bike that helps your learning, is much more important then getting used to the bigger size of other bikes.
That will come easily enough when you get one.
(I'm about 5 ft 8 or 9 and the scorpio fits me just fine, even for all day riding)

[nodrog]

get a GSXR 1000

[allycatz]

get a GSXR 1000

Nah Hayabusa :facepalm:....seriously Scorpio is fun easy to handle bike and if I can get on a bike and learn at 51 years young then its gotta be okay

[SMOKEU]

A CBR250 is good fun (either MC19 or MC22), but they're a little on the small side. I'm about 6 foot and the CBR isn't too bad to ride.

[NJ001]

I have been through this predicament recently.. Bought a ninja after a lot of queries.. As said above, it is more about Learning to ride.. Sit on all the bikes and buy the one you feel comfortable on... I wanted to buy a hyo but after giving it a try I realized i am not comfortable.. Vtr250 could be an option.. I would say go to a shop and try all bikes.. You would get a feel for what is best suited for you.... Between you can't go over 250 until u get ur full....Best luck..
N

[Sed57]

Cheers guys, planning to visit the shops this weekend and sit on a few to get a feel for them. I guess I'm a little concerned that if I don't feel comfortable on, say, a GT250, then I may not find anything bigger than a 250 comfortable.

The VTR is another contender, though they seem a bit costly or run in to meet the price I'm looking to pay.

[GrayWolf]

I'm sure you're all sick of these posts by now :P First time at the forums, and limited to the access I get in work, so not been able to read all the previous posts.

Basically I'm looking at something decent to learn on that I can quickly re-sell and move onto a bigger bike on passing my restricted. I'm also after something that's more "normal-sized" bike as opposed to a "small-sized" bike (despite being 5 ft 8, I'd rather know what it's like to ride something full sized straight off than get comfortable to a smaller bike, then having to get used to a bigger bike).

Any info would be appreciated!

Back to work...

Sed,
any 'big bike' in general will feel different to a 250, A hyo is a 'big framed' bike and will feel similar to a gladius,hyo 650, SV650 etc. However any four pot over 500cc is going to have a considerably heavier motor or in the case of a sprot bike, requires 'skill' to ride it with confidence and safety due to the often 'insane' power they produce.
Dont be in a rush to leap from your 250 with a full licence onto a 'big bike', it takes at least 4 seasons to develope all the basic knowledge of road conditions you'll face.

[Fast Eddie]

don't know about the resale value on those hyosungs!

with resale in mind I would stick to the popular jap bikes.. mainly I think of the CBR250R holds its value well, if anything I have seen them go up in price over the last 4 years since I have bought/sold a few.

BUT

Who knows about that law change for learner riders where it will change to power output restriction rather than 250cc limit? is this actually happening next year? I saw posts floating round mentioning October. (too lazy to google but i might after I post this)

That wil have an effect on resale value of the smaller bikes. I think they are high now because people need them for learners/restricted. if the law changes I think the prices will drop on the 250's

[Fast Eddie]

besides, all this talk of comfort.. get on with it man. at over 6 foot 2 I just tuck myself onto whatever bike I want to ride, they are all uncomfortable when you compare it to a king size bed filled with nekkid women

[curly]

Try the VTR250 out.

I'm 5 ft 10 on a good day and i reckon it's a good fit for me.

Oh yeah welcome to kb

[FROSTY]

Sed57 One word SPADA. Performance wise on a parr with the current crop. Normal sized. good handling Heaps cheaper to buy than other suggestions. Bullet proof. easy to resell

[Barts]

Hey. Welcome to KB. I'm 6'2" and settled for a 1996 Hornet 250. Apparently this makes me gay however after test riding both a VTR and a GT250 the Honda was by far the best bike for me. I took all three out on the same day, on the same route and compared and contrasted. Did the same the following weekend with the top two bikes. Bang for buck and reliability was also key in my decision. Highly recommend writing down good points/bad points over a coffee straight after the ride. Good luck!!

[Sed57]

Hi folks, and thank you for the welcomes and advice.

I ended up getting an 09 Hyo GT250S after trying a few other bikes (VTR, CBR, Scorpio, etc). It was mostly a price issue that swung me that way ($3.4).

It's taken a bit of a tumble already, right mirror/indicator and broken lever have broke off (it started to tip, grabbed the bars to stop it, also grabbing the brake lever which snapped off due to the wait, lost the grip with my right hand, and holding the whole bike with one hand just wasn't going to happen... irritating but par of the course I guess, pity me), so any thoughts or direction where to look for these parts would be appreciated! Picking up the brake lever tomorrow (Barrys Point) for about $40 so I can at least keep riding the thing. I've also found the www.richardhyosunggvgt.com website for other pieces, initially thought this was an NZ site so the prices seemed good, have since discovered this may not be the case so freight may add a fair bit on top.

Currently searching the forums but there's also an issue with the fuel guage flashign it's "nearly empty" warning, however after filling the flashing persists. Not sure what this could be and would appreciate any thoughts here while I keep looking.

Thanks again!

[Garfield]

Hi folks, and thank you for the welcomes and advice.

I ended up getting an 09 Hyo GT250S after trying a few other bikes (VTR, CBR, Scorpio, etc). It was mostly a price issue that swung me that way ($3.4).

It's taken a bit of a tumble already, right mirror/indicator and broken lever have broke off (it started to tip, grabbed the bars to stop it, also grabbing the brake lever which snapped off due to the wait, lost the grip with my right hand, and holding the whole bike with one hand just wasn't going to happen... irritating but par of the course I guess, pity me), so any thoughts or direction where to look for these parts would be appreciated! Picking up the brake lever tomorrow (Barrys Point) for about $40 so I can at least keep riding the thing. I've also found the www.richardhyosunggvgt.com website for other pieces, initially thought this was an NZ site so the prices seemed good, have since discovered this may not be the case so freight may add a fair bit on top.

Currently searching the forums but there's also an issue with the fuel guage flashign it's "nearly empty" warning, however after filling the flashing persists. Not sure what this could be and would appreciate any thoughts here while I keep looking.

Thanks again!

i have used RichardHyosung a couple of times with no issues, he is based in S. Korea and even with the freight charges added it was still cheaper than getting the items elsewhere......I bought some footboards from him which cost me $150NZ all up (the same boards are around $250 from Hyosung in Auckland :buggerd:). Delivery times on the items were seven days.

There are a couple of US based websites selling parts.............Google is your friend

[Tigadee]

Sed57 - Ouch, sorry to hear about that! This is the one Achilles heel of the GT250 Comet, its weight for its engine size. If it'd been lighter, you could have managed it better and also the pick up and fuel economy of the Comet would be better too. On the other hand, it is a full-sized bike (same size as the Hyosung GT650), so the transition from a learner's bike to a full license bike will be minimal...

I found a few bits off Trade Me for my Comet when it had a similar tumble to yours, e.g. clutch lever and gear shift lever. Cheap prices for new too...